Freddie Mercury : September 5th 1946 - November 24th 1991

Little did we know that Freddie appearing on stage with Montserrat Caballé on October 8th, 1988 would be the last time Freddie Mercury performed on stage - a stage that was his life. At that time, he was quite ill with AIDS, however, being the person he was, he didn't want people to know about it.

It is quite possible that he knew for some time that he was ill, even as far back as the Magic Tour. During the tour in Wembley, he announced, "We'll be together until we F**king well die", much to the appreciation of the 100,000+ crowd. Freddie also told Brian, John and Roger during one of the Spanish gigs of the Magic Tour that 'this would probably be the very last time they would be doing this'. Once again, after the Knebworth gig, Freddie said he didn't want to do this any more. Brian and Roger thought this was just a phase he was going through but at the same time thought it was strange for Freddie, since he was always up for everything. Perhaps he knew how sick he was going to be and this was his time to prepare himself and his friends for what was to come, during a time when Queen were at their height.

After this, Queen went back to the studio and recorded The Miracle and Innuendo, as well as Freddie and Brian going and doing some solo work also. It was only the band and a select group of friends who actually knew about his illness. Freddie asked the band not to talk to him about it again, and all he wanted to do was to record as much and do as much as he could in the time that was left. It was during this time, that Queen also recorded songs which were to eventually end up on the Made in Heaven album, which was released on November 6th, 1995 by the three remaining members of Queen.

Freddie only announced to the public that he had AIDS the day before he died. On Sunday, November 24th, 1991, Freddie Mercury died peacefully at his home in London of AIDS related bronchial pneumonia. His friends Jim Hutton and Mary Austin were at his bedside when he died.

Freddie was cremated at Kensal Green Cemetery in accordance with his religion. Many stars from the world or music and showbiz attended the service, including friends Elton John and David Bowie.

On April 20th, 1992 a tribute concert in Freddie's memory was held at Wembley Stadium. Tickets to the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert sold out in a matter of hours, even before the full list of bands was available. Many of the worlds most famous rock stars took part in it, from Extreme, Page & Plant, Def Leppard, Axl Rose and many more. This concert was later released on DVD and video for all to enjoy, with the proceeds going to the Mercury Phoenix Trust.

Freddie's influence has lived on in his music, with a whole new generation of Queen fans now appreciating the back-catalogue, as well as through the tours and WWRY stage-show.

September 5th 1946 - November 24th 1991

Freddie Mercury Quotes

"I'm just a musical prostitute, my dear."

"What will I be doing in twenty years' time? I'll be dead, darling! Are you crazy?"

"The reason we're successful, darling? My overall charisma, of course."

"I like people to go away from a Queen show feeling fully entertained. I think Queen songs are pure escapism, like going to see a good film."

"The Bigger the better - in everything"